NameCensus.

UK surname

Mcinnes

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Ionaidh' meaning 'son of the servant'.

In the 1881 census there were 4,534 people recorded with the Mcinnes surname, ranking it #990 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,102, ranked #1,655, down from #990 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lismore and Appin, Govan Combination and Strath. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Badenoch and Strathspey Central, Oban South and Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcinnes is 5,394 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 9.5%.

1881 census count

4,534

Ranked #990

Modern count

4,102

2016, ranked #1,655

Peak year

1901

5,394 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mcinnes had 4,534 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #990 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,102 in 2016, ranked #1,655.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5,394 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mcinnes surname distribution map

The map shows where the Mcinnes surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Mcinnes surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mcinnes over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 3,385 #846
1861 historical 3,256 #881
1881 historical 4,534 #990
1891 historical 4,746 #979
1901 historical 5,394 #1,040
1911 historical 535 #7,445
1997 modern 3,845 #1,694
1998 modern 3,935 #1,718
1999 modern 3,903 #1,745
2000 modern 3,937 #1,721
2001 modern 3,836 #1,728
2002 modern 3,965 #1,704
2003 modern 3,891 #1,701
2004 modern 3,875 #1,709
2005 modern 3,864 #1,687
2006 modern 3,833 #1,709
2007 modern 3,872 #1,702
2008 modern 3,933 #1,685
2009 modern 4,024 #1,685
2010 modern 4,096 #1,694
2011 modern 4,038 #1,697
2012 modern 3,999 #1,682
2013 modern 4,024 #1,704
2014 modern 4,066 #1,697
2015 modern 4,078 #1,674
2016 modern 4,102 #1,655

Geography

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Where Mcinnes' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lismore and Appin, Govan Combination, Strath, Edinburgh and South Uist. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Badenoch and Strathspey Central, Oban South, Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry, Dalry East and Rural and Stonehouse. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Lismore and Appin Argyll
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Strath Inverness
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 South Uist Inverness

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Badenoch and Strathspey Central Highland
2 Oban South Argyll and Bute
3 Heldon West, Fogwatt to Inchberry Moray
4 Dalry East and Rural North Ayrshire
5 Stonehouse South Lanarkshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mcinnes

These lists show first names that appear often with the Mcinnes surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mcinnes

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mcinnes, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Mcinnes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Mcinnes household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mcinnes is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mcinnes is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mcinnes falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcinnes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcinnes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mcinnes

The surname McInnes originated in Scotland, deriving from the Gaelic 'Mac Iain' meaning 'son of Iain' or 'son of John'. It first appeared in written records during the 12th century in regions such as Argyllshire, where it was prevalent among clans like the McInnes of Strathnaver.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name is in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from 1264, which mention a 'Gillecrist McYhyn'. Similar spellings like 'McYne', 'McYnny', and 'McInny' were common in medieval Scottish records before the modern spelling became standardized.

The name has strong ties to the Isle of Islay, where the McInnes clan held lands in Kilchoman. A notable figure from this branch was Lachlan McInnes (1701-1770), who served as the Chief of the McInnes clan during the Jacobite risings.

In the 16th century, the McInnes name appeared in the Book of Arran, a historical record of landowners on the Isle of Arran. One entry from 1544 mentions a 'Donald McYnnys' as a tenant farmer.

Another significant figure was Sir John McInnes (1738-1818), a Scottish baronet and landowner from Perthshire. He played a role in the economic development of the region and served as a Deputy Lieutenant of Perthshire.

During the 19th century, the name spread beyond Scotland as McInnes families emigrated to other parts of the British Empire. One notable bearer was Alexander McInnes (1820-1895), a Canadian politician and businessman who served as Mayor of Hamilton, Ontario, and was involved in railway construction projects.

In the literary world, Edgar McInnes (1870-1946) was a Scottish author and playwright known for works such as 'The Stickit Minister' and 'The Brusque Wayfarer'. He was born in Renfrewshire and his writing often depicted Scottish life and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mcinnes families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mcinnes surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 14 Mcinnes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.53x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 14 4.53x
Yorkshire 14 1.48x
Hampshire 11 5.61x
Lancashire 11 0.97x
Cumberland 10 12.15x
Kent 9 2.76x
Cheshire 6 2.84x
Middlesex 6 0.63x
Midlothian 5 3.90x
Warwickshire 4 1.66x
Argyllshire 2 7.52x
Durham 2 0.70x
Essex 1 0.53x
Northumberland 1 0.70x
Perthshire 1 2.33x
Royal Navy 1 8.78x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 13 Mcinnes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.00x.

Place Total Index
Govan 13 17.00x
Southampton St Mary 11 89.29x
Blindcrake Isel Redmain 9 8181.82x
Plumstead 8 73.60x
Liversedge 6 142.18x
Salford 6 17.99x
Wallasey 6 833.33x
Inveresk 5 144.09x
Middlesbrough 5 40.55x
Birmingham 4 4.98x
Everton 4 11.07x
Islington London 3 3.24x
Chelsea London 2 6.94x
Kilmore Kilbride 2 118.34x
Stockton On Tees 2 14.59x
Colchester St Giles 1 53.76x
Dalston 1 156.25x
Dewsbury 1 10.30x
Dunblane 1 97.09x
Greenwich 1 6.57x
Holy Trinity 1 4.39x
Hook 1 48.08x
Preston In Tynemouth 1 178.57x
St Pancras London 1 1.30x
Thornton In Fylde 1 40.32x
Tradeston 1 2000.00x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mcinnes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Margaret 6
Ann 2
Emma 2
Harriet 2
Isabella 2
Agnes 1
Anna 1
Catherine 1
Christiania 1
Clara 1
Devina 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Frances 1
Georgiana 1
Grace 1
Janet 1
Kate 1
Lizzie 1
Louisa 1
Lucy 1
Malonia 1
Margret 1
Mary 1
Rose 1
Rosie 1
Rosina 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mcinnes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 7
Donald 4
James 4
Robert 3
Alexander 2
Edward 2
Lachlan 2
William 2
Albert 1
Alex. 1
Alexandra 1
Arch. 1
Archibald 1
Bruce 1
Charles 1
David 1
Eugeni 1
Norman 1
Sinclair 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Mcinnes surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mcinnes surname in 1881?

In 1881, 4,534 people were recorded with the Mcinnes surname. That placed it at #990 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mcinnes surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,102 in 2016. That gives Mcinnes a modern rank of #1,655.

What does the Mcinnes surname mean?

A Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Ionaidh' meaning 'son of the servant'.

What does the Mcinnes map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcinnes bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.